smh @ USA Basketball committee

[andgar923]

Once again lacking in the front court department.

Chandler as your center? he's no offensive threat.

Blake can't even spell pick and roll, let alone run one properly.

Love may be the best selection for the international style of game, and iggy? WTF does he bring to the table?

Westbrook isn't gonna have the same type of freedom he enjoys in the NBA.

They needed big men that can battle in the trenches on both ends, Tyson is a good defender, but I see him getting in tons of foul trouble since some of his back court partners won't be able to defend the pick and roll properly, and lawd have mercy if they ever have Westbrook and Blake defending the pick.

[LA_Showtime]

Yup, they're idiots. What happened to building a solid TEAM? Seems like they just chose the best players. Spain has a real shot at beating us.

[IGOTGAME]

Agreed. They would be better off bring non star bigs than griffin.

[liquidrage]

Westbrook was the 2nd or 3rd best player in FIBA 2010 for the US. Rose wasn't clearly better than Westbrook and Westbrook wasn't clearly better than Rose. But only those two have an argument behind Durant from those games. And that's without him scoring a ton.

And Coach K used them both (Rose and Westbrook) together to close out games.

So I'm not sure where you're getting your opinions from. Must be from that horrible league worst offense they run in OKC :facepalm

[LA_Showtime]

It doesn't matter if Chandler is offensively inept, but it does matter that he's the only guy over 7 feet tall. The Gasol brothers are going to kill us.

[andgar923]

Westbrook was the 2nd or 3rd best player in FIBA 2010 for the US. Rose wasn't clearly better than Westbrook and Westbrook wasn't clearly better than Rose. But only those two have an argument behind Durant from those games. And that's without him scoring a ton.

And Coach K used them both (Rose and Westbrook) together to close out games.

So I'm not sure where you're getting your opinions from. Must be from that horrible league worst offense they run in OKC :facepalm

I'll eat my words then, I guess I was wrong about Westbrook. Because from what I've seen in the NBA he has a poor IQ and his style doesn't appear to be suited for the international game.

But what about the other selections?

They're heavy in the 2-3 position, but most of them are very similar players. I also don't see a consistent deep threat outside of Durant.

The front court is kinda disappointing and the center position is a joke.

[AlonzoGOAT]

It doesn't matter if Chandler is offensively inept, but it does matter that he's the only guy over 7 feet tall. The Gasol brothers are going to kill us.

just put LeBron on Pau and let him make his bitch again

[andgar923]

It doesn't matter if Chandler is offensively inept, but it does matter that he's the only guy over 7 feet tall. The Gasol brothers are going to kill us.

Yup

Not just them, but other bigs as well.

Shit... I remember Howard getting embarrassed all the time. Luckily they're stacked at the 2-3 position.

[50inchvertical]

Have you ever watched international play before? Westbrook was excellent in the 2010 games. And no long range threats? Besides the fact the international line is shorter, we have guys who shoot 40% from the NBA line on the team. They'll kill that shorter 3pt line.

[IGOTGAME]

Roy Hibbert, Taj Gibson, D. Cousins,

Guys like this should be considered.

[AlonzoGOAT]

Have you ever watched international play before? Westbrook was excellent in the 2010 games. And no long range threats? Besides the fact the international line is shorter, we have guys who shoot 40% from the NBA line on the team. They'll kill that shorter 3pt line.

This OP appears to think NBA is the same transition in international play without even watching it.

[IGOTGAME]

Have you ever watched international play before? Westbrook was excellent in the 2010 games. And no long range threats? Besides the fact the international line is shorter, we have guys who shoot 40% from the NBA line on the team. They'll kill that shorter 3pt line.
Have you ever watched our international shooters in the Olympics....it doesn't always translate to the shorter line.

[LA_Showtime]

Yup

Not just them, but other bigs as well.

Shit... I remember Howard getting embarrassed all the time. Luckily they're stacked at the 2-3 position.

Yeah, but that won't matter because LeBron, Kobe, and Durant will get the majority of the minutes. The selection committee got greedy, and I wouldn't be surprised if it costs them.

Oh, and given the emphasis on fundamentals I wouldn't be surprised if Griffin isn't a glorified small forward. He's a terrible rebounder and simply relies on his athleticism to get boards, which won't cut it in International play.

[liquidrage]

Roy Hibbert, Taj Gibson, D. Cousins,

Guys like this should be considered.

Here's the thing. In 2010 they played with only Chandler as a center against the same competition they're about to face and mauled them.

And here's the kicker. Chandler barely played.

[jbot]

Roy Hibbert, Taj Gibson, D. Cousins,

Guys like this should be considered.
would have loved seeing roy selected.

[chazzy]

Here's the thing. In 2010 they played with only Chandler as a center against the same competition they're about to face and mauled them.

And here's the kicker. Chandler barely played.
Spain didn't have Pau and Ibaka in 2010

[hawksdogsbraves]

Davis should've gotten picked. Griffin and Gay have no use on this team.

[liquidrage]

Spain didn't have Pau and Ibaka in 2010


They still had tons of size in 2010. They just have more talent now.

But, Ibaka isn't hard to match up with when they're on offense. He has zero post game.

Odom played center against them last time. Spain is going to have transition troubles with the US.

Adding a second Gasol to the mix and Ibaka (defense only presense, and all 3 won't play together much otherwise Spain would get killed running up and down) doesn't equate to adding Lebron, DWill, CP3 and Melo.

I wouldn't be shocked to see the US use Durant and Lebron at the 4/5 at times, and pack in the zone against Spain.

[Raz]

Love and Chandler can guard Marc Gasol successfully, and I'd happily put LeBron on Pau.

[kNicKz]

If team USA doesn't get the gold I'll honestly be shocked. Tyson Chandler a bad pick up? He averages a double double. Carmelo, Kobe, Durant, and Lebron are a bad line up? :biggums: The posts on this site :facepalm

And also parker/noah are off the French team

[seanclayton]

Just like they said about the Heat. Look who won?

[Eat Like A Bosh]

I do think their big men depth is a little weak, but US is still the favorites at the time being.

[FireMcFailPlease]

lol @ the gasol brothers.

if spain keeps it under 10, its a victory for them. who the hell needs offensive center when durant, kobe, lebron and paul are on the court together?


stupid post is stupid

[chips93]

Roy Hibbert, Taj Gibson, D. Cousins,

Guys like this should be considered.

cousins went to the camp

colangelo said that he needs some maturing/growing up to be part of usa basketball's future


Oh, and given the emphasis on fundamentals I wouldn't be surprised if Griffin isn't a glorified small forward. He's a terrible rebounder and simply relies on his athleticism to get boards, which won't cut it in International play.

whats your reasoning behind this? whats different in international ball, from the nba, that will expose his lack of fundamentals in rebounding?

[DurantFor40]

They have Lebron, Durant, and Kobe.. No ones beating this team you pessimistic fagets

[swi7ch]

Who cares about all these other guys on the team or other players on other teams? Team USA has LBJ, Durant, and Kobe.

LBJ, Durant, and Kobe.
LBJ, Durant, and Kobe.
LBJ, Durant, and Kobe.

These 3 guys will beat a team of 10-footers. There is no chance this team is losing even if you blindfold the rest of the their teammates! :facepalm

[DaHeezy]

Blake Griffin will get bench splinters and all Chandler has to do is defend. Team USA will be fine

[Fiasco]

Agreed. They would be better off bring non star bigs than griffin.

Don't breed.

[Xiao Yao You]

Spain didn't have Pau and Ibaka in 2010

Pau's not the player he was 3 years ago either.


There is no chance this team is losing even if you blindfold the rest of the their teammates!

As we seen 6 years ago in a single elimination format anything can happen. They should win easily but you never know.

[Mr. I'm So Rad]

LeBron can play Center from time to time. He can guard all 5 positions.

[RaininTwos]

Don't breed.
Don't breathe.

Anyways, I actually agree. Bosh would have been nice but he's out due to injuries and I think Hibbert would have been a good addition as well because Spain shouldn't be taken lightly. They have a nice squad.

[PyrrhusX]

I'll eat my words then, I guess I was wrong about Westbrook. Because from what I've seen in the NBA he has a poor IQ and his style doesn't appear to be suited for the international game.

But what about the other selections?

They're heavy in the 2-3 position, but most of them are very similar players. I also don't see a consistent deep threat outside of Durant.

The front court is kinda disappointing and the center position is a joke.

Here we go again guys.
:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

[andgar923]

I admit, I'm no expert when it comes to international play.

I also must let some of you know that I don't think USA will lose.

I don't believe Tyson was a bad selection.

But I have seen USA in some international competition and their front court position has been thin at times. Tyson is a good selection my only problem was the committee only selecting one true center.

No doubt the international style of game is different, and I understand that some of the players selected have experience playing in that style. But most of those players are the ones that we shouldn't worry about.

My main point was, instead of selecting guys like Iggy, Gay and other similar type players. Why not select big men that would play their role. There's already about 6 players that basically play the same way, there's no true consistent inside threat.

Somebody mentioned the 3pt line being closer, which is true, but that's how they can end up in trouble as well. With most of the players being wing players, they can easily fall in love with the 3pt shot, specially when the zone forces them to shoot the long 3.

Was it that hard for the committee to select one more true center and another big man?

[KDthunderup]

The team is fine, USA will win gold easy.

[sagr32]

Outside of Love and Chandler there really isn't anyone besides Bosh who would suit the teams style. Team USA is taking full advantage of their athleticism and wing options and it isn't as if they have no Post threats at all. Kobe/Durant/Lebron will all spend time on the post taking advantage of either weaker or shorter defenders.

[brandonislegend]

Why not someone like Lamarcus Aldridge?

[Xiao Yao You]

hurt

[brandonislegend]

Thats right

[kNicKz]

lol @ the gasol brothers.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjRizobEQig

[RedBlackAttack]

I wouldn't be the least bit shocked if this team doesn't win gold. It really isn't a well constructed roster at all.

[RedBlackAttack]

The team is fine, USA will win gold easy.
The team was better four years ago, imo, and it got a hell of a scare in the gold medal game. Don't get me wrong... we are still huge favorites as it should be.

The international game is pretty perimeter oriented, so I don't have much of an issue with Tyson Chandler being the only real center on the team. However, there are a lot of guys on this roster that need the ball in their hands to have a major impact.

Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Andre Iguodala all on the same roster? Those are a lot of guys that feed off of iso situations and I honestly have no clue how they'll work together on the floor simultaneously.

I think that Coach K and staff are going to have to get pretty creative with lineups in order to create a well moving team and not just an All-Star game mentality of taking turns.

Now, having that amount of talent on one team may be enough to the point where "taking turns" works for the gold... But I'm also done underestimating international teams like Spain and Greece. They can play and, unlike Team USA, their rosters are usually crafted in a logical way that produces good movement of the basketball.

I guess we won't know until our guys take the court together... Could be great or a disaster.

[The Big Skinny]

I want you skeptics to think about this. How many players in the Olympics (not including US players) would MAKE the U.S. team. The US has arguably the 10 best players in the Olympics. If not top 10, then 10 out of the best 15.

My point is that if the U.S. does not win Gold, it is because they under-performed, NOT because they aren't "big".

[AlonzoGOAT]

Sweep to gold

[RedBlackAttack]

I want you skeptics to think about this. How many players in the Olympics (not including US players) would MAKE the U.S. team. The US has arguably the 10 best players in the Olympics. If not top 10, then 10 out of the best 15.

My point is that if the U.S. does not win Gold, it is because they under-performed, NOT because they aren't "big".
Obviously, when it comes to talent, there is a gulf between us and everyone else. However, when you have guys that have been playing together for a long time and fit together seamlessly, like a glove, it can sometimes make up for a large differential in talent.

[DTreats]

I still can't get over that Carmelo freakin' Anthony is on this roster, I mean seriously? This fatass got exposed this season as an inefficient volume scorer that can do very little else, his pathetic performance in the playoffs means that no one on this team can respect him, right?

[Xiao Yao You]

I still can't get over that Carmelo freakin' Anthony is on this roster, I mean seriously? This fatass got exposed this season as an inefficient volume scorer that can do very little else, his pathetic performance in the playoffs means that no one on this team can respect him, right?

He's been on the last 3 Olympic teams. He's got the hype! They'd be better off without Kobe's selfish ass too.

[RedBlackAttack]

I still can't get over that Carmelo freakin' Anthony is on this roster, I mean seriously? This fatass got exposed this season as an inefficient volume scorer that can do very little else, his pathetic performance in the playoffs means that no one on this team can respect him, right?
Carmelo's game actually translates really well to the international game. He was the right choice.

[DTreats]

He's been on the last 3 Olympic teams. He's got the hype! They'd be better off without Kobe's selfish ass too.
Those times are excusable seeing as Durant wasn't fully established but now it's so obvious that Kevin Durant is better in every single way that having them both is redundant. Kobe on the other hand is a great basketball mind and he has no problem deferring. If everyone was healthy I'd like to see a roster of:

Chris Paul | Deron Williams | Russell Westbrook
Kobe Bryant | Dwyane Wade | Eric Gordon
LeBron James | Kevin Durant | Andre Iguodala
Kevin Love | Blake Griffin
Dwight Howard | Tyson Chandler

[RedBlackAttack]

This isn't an All-Star game. Melo has proven himself to be very effective in international play during previous tournaments.

If I were to bet, I'd say Melo is one of the safest bets to have a nice run in the Olympics.

[RaininTwos]

Those times are excusable seeing as Durant wasn't fully established but now it's so obvious that Kevin Durant is better in every single way that having them both is redundant. Kobe on the other hand is a great basketball mind and he has no problem deferring. If everyone was healthy I'd like to see a roster of:

Chris Paul | Deron Williams | Russell Westbrook
Kobe Bryant | Dwyane Wade | Eric Gordon
LeBron James | Kevin Durant | Andre Iguodala
Kevin Love | Blake Griffin
Dwight Howard | Tyson Chandler

So if everyone was healthy you wouldn't have Bosh or Melo on the roster? What is wrong with you? What do you have against those players?

[DTreats]

So if everyone was healthy you wouldn't have Bosh or Melo on the roster? What is wrong with you? What do you have against those players?
You can throw Bosh there behind Griffin. Bosh isn't needed on this team, and Melo are you kidding me? With Durant there you don't need Melo, Durant can do everything Melo can, just better...

[RaininTwos]

You can throw Bosh there behind Griffin. Bosh isn't needed on this team, and Melo are you kidding me? With Durant there you don't need Melo, Durant can do everything Melo can, just better...
Bosh isn't needed on this team but Griffin is? Bosh is not only just a flat out better player than Griffin but he's one of the few American big men that have an international style of play. I don't understand why I need to tell you this.

Also, Melo and Durant arent similar and there is space for both of them.

[Fiasco]

Bosh isn't needed on this team but Griffin is? Bosh is not only just a flat out better player than Griffin but he's one of the few American big men that have an international style of play. I don't understand why I need to tell you this.

Also, Melo and Durant arent similar and there is space for both of them.

.......:facepalm

[Mr Know It All]

USA will be lucky to bring home a bronze at this Olympics.

[RaininTwos]

.......:facepalm
How is that facepalm worthy? Bosh is better than Griffin.

[CLTHornets4eva]

USA will be lucky to bring home a bronze at this Olympics.

:wtf:

:coleman:
What small, irrelevant country are you from?

[MaxFly]

He's been on the last 3 Olympic teams. He's got the hype! They'd be better off without Kobe's selfish ass too.

Really? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhpVE5Yfvhc

[MaxFly]

USA will be lucky to bring home a bronze at this Olympics.

:facepalm

[Fiasco]

How is that facepalm worthy? Bosh is better than Griffin.

at what :roll:

[RaininTwos]

at what :roll:
At Basketball.

[DeuceWallaces]

I was surprised Monroe didn't even get an invite to the select group. He is an excellent passer out of the post and a good team player with size.

[Doranku]

Why are people acting as if there's a cause for concern? Are we all forgetting that GOATbe/Clutchbe/Gawdbe is on the squad again this year?

Remember what he did to Spain in the 4th quarter last Olympics?

There's nothing to fret about.

[bluechox2]

werent we lacking size when we won the bronze

[I LUV KOBE]

We got GoldBe.. Nothing to worry..

[FireMcFailPlease]

werent we lacking size when we won the bronze
We had no outside shooting

[Mr. NBA]

Most LAC fans on here are delusional. Chris Bosh is a better player than Blake, especially for international play. Bosh has a money jumper, he can face up on the block, he has 3 point range, and his overall impact on a game are greater than what Blake offers.

[brandonislegend]

I would take bosh over griffin any-day, griffin is the most overrated player in the league, he has no post game to speak of, terrible footwork, no jumpshot, shoots free throws lower than his fg%, has terrible man to man defense and is no presence down low if you check his steal and block average its sad. Wade averages more blocks...

[hawksdogsbraves]

Bosh is actually pretty good defensively as well

[DTreats]

Why are people acting as if there's a cause for concern? Are we all forgetting that GOATbe/Clutchbe/Gawdbe is on the squad again this year?

Remember what he did to Spain in the 4th quarter last Olympics?

There's nothing to fret about.
Are you forgetting that Wade carried the entire team that game and is the only reason Kobe had a chance to close the game out?

[RicksPlace]

I would take bosh over griffin any-day, griffin is the most overrated player in the league, he has no post game to speak of, terrible footwork, no jumpshot, shoots free throws lower than his fg%, has terrible man to man defense and is no presence down low if you check his steal and block average its sad. Wade averages more blocks...




This! Griffin is the most overrated player I have seen. Bar none. What he does besides dunk the ball and flop? Nothing! They wont except it but LAC fans cringe everytime Griffin goes iso and tries to do his 360 up and under move lol. Flashy dunks, empty stats. Give me Bosh any time, any day.

[caliman]

I still can't get over that Carmelo freakin' Anthony is on this roster, I mean seriously? This fatass got exposed this season as an inefficient volume scorer that can do very little else, his pathetic performance in the playoffs means that no one on this team can respect him, right?


Don't let personal biases get in the way of facts. Aside from the 2004 Olympics, Carmelo has been killing on the international stage.

[Xiao Yao You]

Are you forgetting that Wade carried the entire team that game and is the only reason Kobe had a chance to close the game out?

Not the only reason. Defensive stopper Kobe not being able to slow down Navarro or Fernandez made it a ball game.

[Dbrog]

This! Griffin is the most overrated player I have seen. Bar none. What he does besides dunk the ball and flop? Nothing! They wont except it but LAC fans cringe everytime Griffin goes iso and tries to do his 360 up and under move lol. Flashy dunks, empty stats. Give me Bosh any time, any day.

Blake = young Amare 2.0